521 Sheet – American State Trials 1918 Volume X Leo Frank Document

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Here is the translated text as follows:

WILLIAM WEMMS AND SEVEN OTHERS

Attucks, whom Montgomery was supposed to have killed, appeared to have undertaken to be the hero of the night and to lead this army with banners. He first formed them in Dock Square and then marched them up to King Street with their clubs. They passed through the main street up to the main guard in order to make the attack. If this was not an unlawful assembly, there never was one in the world. Attucks, with his myrmidons, came around Jackson's corner and down to the party by the sentry box. When the soldiers pushed the people off, this man with his party cried, "Do not be afraid of them, they dare not fire, kill them! Kill them! Knock them over!"—and he tried to knock their brains out. It was plain the soldiers did not leave their station but cried to the people, "Stand off!" Now, to have this reinforcement coming down under the command of a stout mulatto fellow, whose very looks were enough to terrify any person, what had the soldiers then to fear? He had hardiness enough to fall in upon them, and with one hand took hold of a bayonet, and with the other knocked the man down. This was the behavior of Attucks; to whose mad proceedings, in all probability, the dreadful carnage of that night was chiefly to be ascribed. And it was in this manner this town had been often treated; a Carr from Ireland, and an Attucks from Framingham, happening to be here, shall sally out upon their thoughtless enterprises at the head of such a rabble of negroes and worthless characters as they can collect together, and then there were not wanting persons to ascribe all their doings to the good people of the town.

Gentlemen of the Jury, I will enlarge no more on the evidence, but submit it to you. Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence. Nor is the law less stable than the fact; if an assault was made to endanger their lives, the law is clear, they had a right to kill in their own defense; if it was not so severe as to endanger their lives, yet if they were assaulted at all, struck and abused by blows of any sort, by snowballs, oyster shells, sticks, or any other weapons, they had a right to defend themselves, and even to kill, if necessary, to preserve their own lives.